Argentina successfully defended the Olympic football gold in Athens four years ago by beating former champions Nigeria 1-0 in sapping midday heat at the Beijing's Olympic Stadium.
The victory is also a sweet revenge for the Argentinians after the 1996 final defeat, where Nigeria won 3-2 to become the first African team to win the Olympic football gold.
The winning goal for Argentina came in the 58th minute when Lionel Messi released Ángel Di Maria clear of the Nigerians defence and the Benfica player lobbed the ball over the advancing Nigeria goalkeeper Ambruse Vanzekin.
This was the only football match to be played in the Beijing's Olympic stadium which had the entire playing surface bathed in sunshine. The very hot conditions forced the referee took the unusual step of twice allowing players to stop and take drinks.
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The victory is also a sweet revenge for the Argentinians after the 1996 final defeat, where Nigeria won 3-2 to become the first African team to win the Olympic football gold.
The winning goal for Argentina came in the 58th minute when Lionel Messi released Ángel Di Maria clear of the Nigerians defence and the Benfica player lobbed the ball over the advancing Nigeria goalkeeper Ambruse Vanzekin.
This was the only football match to be played in the Beijing's Olympic stadium which had the entire playing surface bathed in sunshine. The very hot conditions forced the referee took the unusual step of twice allowing players to stop and take drinks.
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